in the guatemalan capital, guatemala city, the impact was much greater. dowling masonry and damaging buildings. the country's civil emergency authorities immediately issued a national alert and the president told people to stay outside of their crack homes for fear of aftershocks. >> any time we have an earthquake of this magnitude, there is a very high risk of after shocks. there have already been 5. there could be after shocks that could have the intensity to cause more damage to the population that has already been affected. >> the real devastation, however, took place near the epicenter of the pacific coast in the border region of san marcos. there, is school collapsed and a number of people were killed when their homes crumbled beneath the quake. there are fears many others may still be trapped beneath the rubble. mudslides have cut off roads and communication, complicating further the rescue effort. emergency shelters have been set up to house those affected. while the people of central america are used to these seismic events, in areas where the in